“I’m just convinced that if we can close achievement gaps before children enter kindergarten, we have a chance to close them forever.” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, responding to Facebook comments, August 3, 2011

Many U.S. schools adding iPads, trimming textbooksApple officials say they know of more than 600 districts that have launched what are called "one-to-one" programs, in which at least one classroom of students is getting iPads for each student to use throughout the school day.

A School District Mimics Charters, Hoping Success Will FollowIn the first experiment of its kind in the country, the Houston public schools are testing whether techniques proven successful in high-performing urban charters like those in the Knowledge is Power Program, or KIPP, a national charter chain, can also help raise achievement in regular public schools.

Helena teen hones entrepreneurial skills over summer"Ultimately, I think one of the things that kids often miss in a larger city is the ability to develop some entrepreneurial skills," said Mark, who learned his work ethic growing up on a family farm and now helps run the Veterans Service Center at Fort Harrison. "She learned about controlling inventory, dealing with people and communication skills - both verbal and written.

Age-Proofing Your Job ApplicationThose who present themselves as up-to-date on industry trends and fluent with new technologies will have a leg up, regardless of their age.

Economic Gardening

Economic gardening with help from the SBATo begin an economic gardening program, one must develop an inventory of community and business assets available. What is the "wealth" in (insert your state here)? What organizations can you tap into or partner with?

Economic gardening' grow is now the way to grow"Economic gardening is not a quick fix and it is not a silver bullet. It is a long-term strategy," Gibbons said in the 2010 summer issue of the Economic Development Journal.
"It is not a fad diet. It is a lifestyle change."

Funding and Building your Business

Introducing the Cap Table and Hiring the CTO Jane and Dick, our fearless cofounders of SayAhh, have set up an accounting system and created their first set of financial statements. This week they set out to create their cap table and hire a CTO.

What To Look For In A Company BoardAs opposed to ten years ago, there are many more outside individuals involved in a startup's progress from an idea to an actual company, and Clavier advises entrepreneurs to create a support network with a board. For example, many startups have created both boards of advisors as well as boards of directors.

Do You Have the Mentality to Manage a Startup?After working with entrepreneurs for almost a decade now, I have developed a good "radar" to quickly recognize mentalities that will likely pass the test of investors, employees, and customers.

Social media connect farmers with local customersMichele Payn-Knoper, who founded the AgChat Foundation, has been helping raise Holstein and dairy cattle since she was 9 years old. She believes that consumers should have accurate sources of information about where their food comes from and cares deeply about helping eaters connect directly with producers.

New artistic director Joe Martinez, takes reins at Missoula Children's TheatreHere at MCT, for these people who come through our doors, it's a passion and they're finding time to make it happen as a community member. The kids that come to the summer camp, they came and paid because that's what they want to do.
"That's one of the major reasons I decided to come back and what excited me about it."

Government

America Needs A Business PlanA national strategic narrative must be a story that all Americans can
understand and identify with in their own lives.

Addicted to 'Stumbling'For Prine and millions of other "stumblers," San Francisco's StumbleUpon Inc. provides an addictive daily habit that they say is better than Facebook or Twitter for discovering interesting, helpful or inspiring topics to share with friends.